Cong rules out lifting ban on arrack sale

Davanagere, Karnataka, May 12 (UNI) The Congress has no plan to reintroduce sale of arrack in Karnataka if it comes to power, former deputy chief minister and party leader Siddaramaiah said today.

Talking to mediapersons here, he said, ''Congress leader Janardhana Poojary's recent remarks on introduction of sale of arrack was his personal view and not the party stand.'' Mr Siddaramaiah said after the ban on sale of arrack in the state, poor people have started consuming expensive liquor, resulting in increase of sale of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) by three per cent.

Replying to a question, he said introduction of total prohibition was impractical and there was need for a national debate on it.

To another question, he claimed that Samajawadi Party State President S Bangarappa would defeat BJP chief ministerial candidate B S Yeddyurappa in Shikaripura in the second phase of polls on May 16.

''Congress will form the government in Karnataka on its own after the elections,'' he added.

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